Two Murakami books in my mail

Today I got 4 books from the post office, and two of them were by Haruki Murakami:

South of The Border,West of The Sun
Hard-boiled Wonderland and The End of The World

The other books were "Coffee Tea or Me?" by Trudy Baker/Rachel Jones, and "Deafening" by Frances Itani. "Coffee Tea or Me?" is from trade, and the other books are from bookrings.

My reading is not going very well these weeks. I have several books I promised to give to bookcrossers, and I feel pressed by time to read them but I cannot force myself...perhaps this hinders my reading...

A book run away from me!

"Awakenings" by Oliver Sacks showed in action the "karma of the books". It ran away from me through a hole in the plastic bag where I put it while going to the playground with my daughter. I must admit I was not at all happy with this, as I liked the book very much and was yet through the half of it. Let`s hope that it has been picked up by a new reader.

I bought a translation of "Republic of Love" by Carol Shields some days ago. Have not started reading yet...

Yehudi Menuhin`s autobiography received today

http://bookcrossing.com/journal/3366103/bookmaniac70/book_-Unfinished-Journey-Yehudi-Menuhin

Got it as RABCK from Mastulela, UK. I even didn`t know such book existed! It must be awfully interesting and full of great info about outstanding people!

Now reading...

..."Awakenings" by Oliver Sacks. It is my first book by this author. I heard about him from Bookcrossing.com. The story is amazing- it is about a group of patients victims of an epidemy of lethargic illness who subsequently developed Parkinsonian symptoms to various degrees and modes of appearance. Most of them led a primitive and totally reclused existence, shutted from the outer world, from human contact and emotions. In the 60-s they were administered a new medicine called L-DOPA which worked amazing effects on them. The motionless, speechless and dull patients were "awaken", brought to sudden activity and agitation. The book contains the stories of a dozen patients and their fates. I`m amazed by the details about Parkinsonism, the strange receptions of time and space, the infinite depth and mysteries of human conscience and unconscience.

Books reserved for bookcrossers

Books reserved for bookcrossers from relays:

"This Way To The Gas, Ladies and Gentleman"by Tadeusz Borowski----> reserved for DreamSE32 (mailed)

"Samarkand" by Olga Kharitidi----> reserved for tehuti

"I very nomi" by Andrea de Carlo---> reserved for bilbi

Books mailed 10/15:

"Mary Called Magdalene" by Margaret George (bookring)----> to Elestr

"The Stepford Wives" by Ira Levin (Surprise bookrings)----> to benjymouse

"Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie (bookray)---> mirp

Books mailed 10/10:
(from bookrelays)

"Reading Lolita in Tehran"----> to crimson-tide

"Vita di Casa" by Rafaela Sarti"---> to AnglersRest.

Books I owe to other bookcrossers

I owe to send the following books:

Reading Lolita in Tehran>>>>> to crimson-tide (mailing tomorrow)

Three Times Table by Sara Maitland>>>> to cougmax

Paradise by Toni Morrison>>>> to summerbreeze

Vita di Casa by Rafaela Sarti>>>>>to AnglersRest (mailing tomorrow)
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Getting better with my reading

Despaired as I was recently with my reading, hope returns, as I am close to finish a book of 860 pages just in a week! The book is "Mary Called Magdalene" by Margaret George. It retolds the story of Jesus through the eyes of Mary from Magdala, a controversial personage and a target for many speculations. It is in fact very close to the original Biblical story but is beautifully told. I have to say, I`m quite impressed with it. It was absorbing and moving. There were some subtle meanings and details which often pass unobserved when one thinks about Jesus. I was very content that Mary Magdalene was shown to be in love with Jesus, as it sounds psychologically true and is in no way uncommon. Somehow the writer has managed to soften the question of Jesus`s celibacy, making it look more as a personal mission than as a God`s commandment or repudiation of the flesh. I liked also the natural feelings of rivalry and occasional jealousy in Jesus`s apostles as they should be very natural in such a community. The book made pounder once again over one of the greatest stories of humanity.

Books received yesterday

Books received in the mail yesterday:

American Pastoral by Philip Roth
The Queen`s Fool by Philippa Gregory
(both books courtesy to LoveTeaAndBooks who sent me "American Pastoral" as surprise book along with "The Queen`s Fool")
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric

I`m slow with reading these days, as I had much work. I only manage to read about 50 pages every night from "Mary Called Magdalene" by Margaret George. I like it. It creates in you a feeling of those past times and provides an interesting view of Jesus as a historical personality and his mission.